A Ghost To Mak

The Third Man's Presence

Paul's narrow eyes widened staring at the photo on the phone screen. Laila's outstretched hand shook violently. The two sat face to face, Laila with the rest of her patience waiting for the answer that would be thrown from the lips of the man before her. Paul lowered his head, cupping his face with both hands.

Laila bit her lower lip, holding back the tears she had been holding back. Powerless, his eyes condensed, tears of disappointment soaked his cheeks when not a single word came out of Paul's mouth.

Laila pulled back her hand, turned off the phone screen and put it back in the bag. He got up and went outside, and Paul quickly stood up and grabbed Laila by the hand and prevented her from opening the door.

"Where's Laila going, honey?" Paul stared fixedly at Laila's wet bead. There was clearly a wound there, jealousy was also a restrained anger which he was unable to vent.

"Laila's gonna grab a drink." Laila threw her face away, avoiding Paul's gaze. He no longer wants to easily melt with all the romantic attitudes given. Slowly, Laila pushed Paul's chest out of his way.

"Fetch it, yes!" sergeant.

"no need. Laila can take it herself." Laila looked at Paul with an angry look.

"Darling ...." Paul clasped Laila's hand. As much as Paul's energy grabbed Laila's body whose attitude turned cold.

As powerful as Laila tried to escape from Paul's embrace, he did not even hesitate to hit his arm and back. But his strength was too weak to resist. Weary. Laila gave up and let Paul embrace her body so tightly.

"That could be clear. But not now. You're really tired, honey." Paul rubbed Laila's head, his wife's body shaking violently, his favorite woman was really angry.

"No need to explain. Brother rest." Laila tried to be normal. His originally irregular breathing was now a little calmer. Paul loosened his arms, cupped Laila's face, and showered her with a kiss.

"Abang ... sleep!" sergeant Laila as Paul's lips are about to touch his.

The man smiled, his hands releasing a slightly wet hijab from tears, "in my heart there was only Laila. Laila is the first and last woman in your life, you know!"

Laila tried to smile, even though it felt forced. Tonight, he didn't get any answers. She herself could not bear to ask further, her husband was really tired. All he needs is understanding, even though Laila's curiosity is at its peak.

Laila stared blankly at the ceiling of her room, her body could be lying on the bed, but her heart and mind wandered out of nowhere.

"Darling ...," call Paul. Laila turned towards the man next to her. For a moment the two looked at each other in silence.

"Sleep, Bang. I said tired." Laila turned her head against the wall. His words still sounded cold.

"Laila .. look brother!"

Silence ... for the first time it was very desirable Laila denied the orders of the man who had become her husband. But Abi's teachings always ringing in his head, no matter how the circumstances are not good to deny the wishes and orders of her husband.

Laila turned her head, her face now staring at Paul who was looking at her, "the word is going to sleep. Why haven't you slept?"

"Can't you sleep?"

"Why?" Laila tried to make her tone still sound ordinary. He also had trouble sleeping if not embraced by Paul.

"Well cold."

Quickly, since coming home from work the man felt at home bare-chested. Laila got up to get out of bed, stepped over the body of Paul who was sleeping on his back. Quickly the man clasped Laila's body into his arms.

"Abang does not need clothes, brother wants to be hugged Laila!" Paul rubbed his wife's head on her arm, gently rubbing Laila's straight hair.

Laila felt the pounding of Paul's heart racing. He felt the swish of warmth that the man gave in his arms. Comfortable, also warm. The feeling was still the same when Paul first grabbed him in his arms. But will his heart and love still be the same.

**

Mak Nur looked in wonder at the faces of the two. Paul and Laila's eyes are puffy. The behavior of the two is also different, unlike usual who is always cheerful. Also Paul who is always happy to prank his beloved wife.

Today Mak Nur no longer goes to the fields, henceforth he will be at home, enjoying his old age. After saying goodbye, the two left for work.

Laila sat sweetly on the bonbar, but for this time her hands were not coiled around Paul's waist. Laila prefers to hold on to the iron behind the motor. Reluctant to fight, the man let Laila with all his will.

"Later noon. You no longer need to call Laila rich usually," he said after the bike stopped at the school parking lot. After kissing the back of Paul's hand, without saying many more words, he passed away leaving the man.

**

Laila comes home with one of her female fellow teachers who happens to be going down the same path. It is happy to be said, because if you have to ride a public vehicle in addition to traffic jams, it will also add longer to get home.

The motor stops at the junction when the light is red. Laila looked towards Paul's shop from a rather crowded distance. Looks Ridwan who is overwhelmed to serve the buyers, while there is no figure Paul.

The motorbike belonging to the bespectacled man was not in front of the shop, where it was usually parked. Ahh ... It might be taking things somewhere else. Laila trying to think positively, suudzon and jealous of Paul really made her tired.

From the front of the alley to Laila's house on foot, but right in front of the turnstile, her knee bone felt loose. Laila saw in the garage, Paul's motorbike parked. From where he stood, from the window of the house, Paul was seen, Mak Nur was also the woman talking.

Laila squeezed tightly into the sling bag she was wearing, gathering the rest of the energy she had to get inside the house.

"Assalamu'alaikum" said Laila. He looked up and answered his greetings. Laila kissed the back of Mak Nur's hand, as well as Paul's.

Laila felt her chest burn, but she tried to act normal. Without further ado, Laila left them in the living room, and entered the room, throwing her body on the bed. Laila was tired, very tired. His heart hurts too.

Laila covered her face with an arm, she felt a pain in her chest. The feeling of pain that came out of nowhere, really easily made her cry.

"Laila why? It hurt?" Paul went into the room and approached the lying Laila. He did not answer, his face still covered with arms. He no longer wanted to pretend, nor did he want to be strong-willed. After all, why is Paul really so insensitive, easily accepting the presence of Fitri even invite him home.

"Laila's okay, Bang. Laila just wants to be alone," he said.

"Abang doesn't like Laila harboring her own feelings. Come here, tell me brother!" Paul forcibly pulled the arm that covered Laila's face, and the sadness was clearly visible on his beloved wife's face. Plan ... Paul wiped the tears still running down his cheek.

Laila got up and sat down, leaning her head against the chest of the man who had only been her husband for a few months. And now, he felt such a great distance between them. Paul's dishonesty, everything.

"Bang Ridwan keteteran, Bang. Laila had seen right through the store many buyers," said Laila, she tried to master her anger, as well as her emotions.

"Yes, you know. I came here because there was some stuff. So all of you go home."

"All of you Fitri boncengins too?" laila asked with a tone of voice that sounded less like it.

"She had been shopping for food, and stopped by the store. I was gonna bring you to close the store, because there's a drop-off near here, so guys."

Jealousy was mounting, why Paul had to defend the woman. Did you know that Fitri has other reasons behind all his attitude. To win his sympathy, too, Mak.

"Return to the store. Promise tonight to go home fast. Brother wants to take Laila for a walk."

"To the same boncano shop Fitri?"

"He's gone home, picked up by his personal driver. Oh yes .. said Mak, don't cook. Fitri brought a lot of food. Fear of redundancy."

After kissing Laila's forehead, Paul returns to the store.

Mak Nur caught the bad news that happened, but the middle-aged woman did not want to interfere too deeply. He believes that his son and son-in-law can finish well. He himself could not bear to see Laila's eyes are always puffy, but what can be done. This is the family business of his son.

**

Laila cradled the cell phone in her hand, waiting for Paul who said he would pick her up to take a walk. Until nine o'clock at night, and Mak finished eating, the glasses guy never called.

At ten o'clock in the night, Paul was just home. Laila greeted with a smile. He wants to forget everything about Fitri. He wants his household to be okay, he is able to dampen all ego and jealousy.

"Any tired, huh? Laila make you some warm milk?"

Paul nodded. He put his shoes on the shelf behind the kitchen door, and went into the room. The man lay his body on the bed, his body tired.

"Absite ...." Laila rubbed Paul's arm slowly, the man almost fell asleep before changing clothes. Laila gave a glass filled with warm milk, and drank it out without waste. Paul broke down and fell asleep. Wakeless.

**

Mak Nur laughed as Paul threw a dime guyon to Laila. His heart was a little relieved when he saw the two return as they were. The hue on her daughter-in-law was a little cheerful, unlike a few days ago it looked gloomy. At exactly seven as usual, the two left for work.

"Mak's prayers are always the best." So the hope that Mak always said to Paul was also Laila.